Our History

1947

Parish grounds are purchased by Archbishop Urban J. Vehr. on February 24, 1947.

Many Lourdes' parish families consisted of WWII vets.

First Pastor Reverend Damen L. McCaddon is acquired–also known as "Father Mac"–an avid outdoorsman who organizes regular camping and ski trips for the young parishioners.

Fr. McCaddon works with the Rocks to plant trees, and transform the spacious parish grounds into a retreat oasis, complete with outdoor stations of the cross.

The Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Devotion initiate Sunday school.

Father McCaddon had been an army chaplain and loved the great outdoors. He had us school kids camping on the church property during the 1950s in a stockade-like area. Most kids liked it. I hated it. Green eggs full of sand in the morning. It’s stupid to leave a comfortable bed to sleep in the ground, even if we did get to watch Hopalong Cassidy movies. 

— Stephen J. Leonard, famous Denver historian, writer, and longtime chair of the history department at Metropolitan State college, 1987

1948

Construction begins for new , $150,000 Church and school combination building.

First four classrooms completed. Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration convinced 101 students to attend Saturday classes to make up for lost time.

1970

Convent (current seminary house) is converted into a home for the elderly, known as Maryhaven.

School enrollment drops to 92 children.

Kindergarten and after-school program added.

1983

1985–1996

Stained glass windows project ensues.

Surge in new families occurs throughout the '90s, which increases school enrollment to more than 200 students.

1990

1991

Three additional classrooms are donated by former teacher, Sarah Greason.

Present-day seminary house becomes Center for Contemplative Learning.

1997

2004

Ground breaking for new gym, art, and music rooms begins.

School almost forced to close because of critically low enrollment rates.

2007

Msgr. Quang is assigned to Lourdes in an attempt to revive Our Lady of Lourdes parish and school. Rosemary Anderson is hired to begin a Classical Curriculum at Lourdes, and enrollment begins to turn around.

2017

Stewardship program begins, and number of registered parishioners surpasses 1,000.

Lourdes becomes nationally recognized by Our Sunday Visitor as a thriving parish for various events, such as Gatherings at the Grotto, Pint with a Priest, and others.

Lourdes Classical gains national recognition, with an award for Commitment to Classical Education, by the Center for Natural Law, and Lourdes Classical Principal, Rosemary Anderson is honored with the "Dr. John J. Carrigg Award" by her alma mater, Franciscan University of Steubenville.